hey kerry! thinking of you and the catherterization tomorrow. i know you'll come through it with flying colors....easy for me to say...right? keeping up with ya! love c.d.

Kerry its lydia wow i am praying for you i know it will all go well and you will feel like a new person we will get together when you are back up and runningblessings to you and your family love the website

Kerry,
Check out this one too. I liked this imagery even better than Peggy Huddelston's.
Jeff Shebovsky

http://www.healthjourneys.com/kaiser/download/download_successfulSurgery.asp

Hi Kerry,
Just saw your post about fatigue. I'm sure your heart has alot to do with it but so do your adrenal glands. Are you familiar with "adrenal fatigue"?. I can tell you that the #1 complaint after OHS is really bad fatigue. Almost everyone on here seems to get it. I do not! I'm just about 2 weeks post op and have great energy ( which I also had before surgery). In short, the adrenal glands respond to stress. And open heart surgery is a MAJOR stress on the body and wreaks havoc with the adrenals. There is alot you can do before surgery and of course after to support your adrenals. I posted on this awhile back when others were online complaining about fatigue. Please check put page 5 of my journal. There are 2 posts about this on that page.
Best of luck to you.
Jeff Shebovsky
Orlando, FL

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/user/jeffreyshebovsky?page=5

Hi Kerry,
This is Stephanie Cole. Had 1st valve repair at age 5. Was told a replacement would occur maybe .... 60's. Im 39 and on day 3 post-op tissue valve replacement. Had all of the same feelings you did- being very surprised this came so soon.
Also, an avid runner! You will for sure get back to Running. I'm lapping the halls like crazy.
As for the cardiac cath. I was scared about that too. I started out awake- thinking "I can do this". About 5 mins into to procedure I waved to anesthesia ( they do have your arms in soft restraints) and asked him to put me out. No heroics here- but just didn't feel like seeing it. I was put in mild twighlight and remember nothing! Woke up with NO pain. It was so easy.
You lay flat for a couple of hours and go home.
Let me know if you have any questions. Its all fresh in my mind.
Good luck!

Hi Kerry,

Great job finding Dr. Massimiano. I've been fortunate to see him operate. A great surgeon and a great guy.

If you're interested, here's more about my time with Dr. Massimiano.

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2010/11/19/valve-clinic-tour-inova-heart-vascular/

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Hi Kerry,
The cardiac cath. is really nothing to stress about. If you read the journals of the people who were operated on in the last 2-3 months everyone of them reported that it was not a big deal, include me in that.
Good luck on your journey,
Jane (mitral valve repair 12/5/11)

Hi Kerry I'm Kellys Aunt. I have had mitral valve surgery twice in my life, once when I was 23 again at age 34. I had 3 children in between surgeries. They have come a long way since my surgeries in 1965 and 1974 The catherization didn't hurt but you have to be awake. You should be just fine as you are strong from running. Take care and I will say a prayer for you Judith Swartz

Hi Kerry,

I'm so sorry to hear about your heart surgery. I'm glad you are such an avid runner and discovered it early enough to have the repair. I miss our time together and conversations. You're getting lots of prayers from Tennessee!! We love you!

Robin

Hi Kerry,
I'm about in the same situation as you. I'm having a TEE tuesday and an angiogram after that.
I don't run, but am so looking forward to the day when I can push my heart to the limit and not worry.

Take care. Will be following your experience...keep the updates coming!

Nancy B

Hey Kerry!
Sorry to hear that you're murmur started to act up and you'll have to go through the surgery! I'll be thinking about you and praying for you and your family. I know you're strong and lots of people will be on your side, so I'm sure things will go well! I look forward to hearing about your progress! Love you!
-Lindsay

Dear Kerry,

As I recall, the cardiac cath was no big deal - maybe a bit boring because you had to lie on your back for a couple of hours but not painful to speak of.

Be sure to check out Barry Stone's journal.
He is a runner and I am pretty sure he had the same issue as you. You'll find that his story will cheer you because he's back to better than ever!

Good luck and we will all be following you.

Anne Shannon

With you all the way dear. We have to get your physical heart in as good shape as your emotional & spiritual hearts.
Love & hugs,
Mom

Hi Kerry and welcome to HVJ website, folks here are great, super supportive and always helpful with personal experiences.

You can read through lot's of journals and find people who are going through or have already gone through the same thing.

I personally have Aortic Stenosis, and just had my heart cath a few weeks ago (it wasn't bad at all) and have my follow up this Monday to go over options.

Best of luck to you and welcome!!

Cindy Pastrano